Logging cart



Dec. 30, 1947. w. l.. BARTHOLOMEW LOGGING CART 3 Sheets-Sheet l Filed June 27, 1945 Dec. 30, 1947.

W. L. BARTHOLOMEW l A LGGING CART Filed June 27,4 1945 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VEN TOR.

Dec. 30, 1947. w BARTHOLOMEW 2,433,822

LOGGING CART Filed June 27, 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 l v INVENTOR. a v

BY' I p Patented Dec. 30, 1947 `ilINEI1f-"155D STATES f PATENT O F FICE LOGGING CART f t WionfL: Bartholomew; Richmond,l Va'. Application June .27, 1945,seria1 10,601,793

.1 invention relatestofyehic-les vused' for'l'ft ing and carrying heavy loads, such -as timber, poles, pipes; and itl-particularly relates tovehicles l knownY asv logging carts, 'used iorcarrying' logs from the Woods.

' The-objectofmy inventionis-'to providea'log- -1 ging cart which, in one cycle, that is; inthe lifting, 'carrying,"andldropping-lof the load shall require #la minimum of time, Alabor, arid-expense; and ywhichshall be simple in *its cons`truction,-ru`gged, eas'ytofoperateiand tolzeepY inlgood repair; and

Whichshall' requirellittle 'financial outlay.

My` logging cart'is vcor'istr-ucted so that it may s bei. drawnvby asmall' tractor; -the engine of` which -fshall powerithe' liftingof thelogs, and' transporting them to theirfdestination the Whole oper- -:ationb'eing performed `by one man.

In-the drawings, Whichf'fo'rrn afpart of this specicationz fFigure' 1 y shows,A in side elevation, my logging Scart-carrying al-'loadlf logs; and being hauledby a tractor. 'Figure 2-Vshows `the -cart -nplan,f-1withs`uspended load.

' '.Figure 3'is1a' rear end' elevationv of the'cart,-With 'f suspended` load.

Figure 4 shows the cart in p1an,'after"thel load hasbeen, dropped.

vFigure 5'is`ia. rearfend-viewfof fthe cart! after l" dropping the. load.

.connected'bwa-'shackle I'Zo'i'. other suitable means the tongue I4 of the cart.

The tongueandlupper membersothecart' are 'constructedof@Ibeams :rt 1- and 11.8, connected Sby Welding at the knee 23;?and stily braced-bythe lheavy steel: kneefcap 22. ""See vvalso Figures 2 falldf4.- A A I Y.mart,ingeneralfvtermsfby Athe-'numeral 2li.A

'."lThe upper'beamsil of: the 'cartfilarefs'naced La'part and?lrirac'e'dby` the horizontal members 25 n:Irwin:fefervnereinarterto thel 5zsClaims. (Cl. Zbl-65.3)

brought togetrier'then welded to' thevend plete Vv32, to Which'a part of the connecting shackle I2 is pivoted.

"On-the beams ltv are set the 'two bracketbearviriigsiiLf'54, iii-Which the rllerfo islo-osely journaled. The outer4 ends ofi l'the bracketsy 3A are 'preferably closed, to hold the roller 36 in endwise tplace.' iRoller is free to turn.

4`Figurel 'only' the olside'wheel -isshown. Each wheel is carried' on an'axleff'fixed'at the'point of the--V`shapedl bracket Vfornfiedr'- at the junction 1 of tubesf'l-and-M. -Thesetwo tubes are Welded together, and also to beam I3 at 4@ and'c'ross V4merifiberf, which is preferably tubular. This vcross7 member Ais als'lbr'acedby ygu's'set-plates48; FigsiS and 5. The frame is further strengthened, Withoutadding'inuch" lto vits weight, by 'Welding pla-tes tdthe-bearnsi'l and IB-fat points subjectedA-to severe'strain. These VV'plates are Welded to the' outsideedges'ofthe flanges of the beams, 'thus-transforming theLb'eams-'atthese poi-nts into triple-'webbed'box gidersga form suiiciently rigidto carry a heavy load over lrough ground.

Refer now to Figures 1,2,'4,and`6: -Welded to fthekneeec'ap' `-is a heavy'bracketz, on vwhich 'ispivotedQ by'- pin'f, the tongue-.B forming the *endoff the hydraulic cylinder '58. "The weightof this cylinder vInaybe Acarried -also by a crossrnenribrerll made ofv any suitable material, metal orwood'have shown a" singlepiece ofscantlling; which affords asutable surface, and caribe readily renewed. This I preferably-place over-the frame brace Z6; to which it may be f'se'cnred, v

'Iri'Figure 6: A piston' is'iridicatedfat'V 62; a' piston rcda-t-6l5;-andfin1et-and outlet ports to the cylinf'deratlfean'd'. AVEach' one is in turn' an inletT or v1anoutlet 4'during the lifting f and dropping of `a load. To the ports B6 and 58 there is attached suitable niping--lll anclflZ Irespectiv`ely`to which AL'isfttllafchedA'leiibe tlbng' Yandfvr (Figure 1). v iAUfthe outer-fend'fthe piston rod'is-'a head '"115:7(Figs'2f4fand6) vnTo this head a chaihv may -r`be connected. 'At' oneend of'thelfhead 1S is aho'ol; 82, over which a, link of chain?3G`=Inaybe-dropped vThechain "then" leads over the roller 36, around the- 10a-.d ofilgs-l-s'hoiln nthe drawing by-logs 11a, L1f,effe.- c-"thenfue again and over "roller l3.59.0 #the rleasingf-hoolif,"whit/his Weldedto -head ""l. VSeeialsoFigure T'In'this type offhook` the dropped. Its other end may be attached to any fixed part of the structure forward of the hook 84. In the drawing it is shown looped around and held on the pipe 12, Let it be understood that the end links of chains 8i] and 94 are not necessarily the links to be held by hooks or by projecting pin 92. The hooks 82, 84, and the projecting pin 52 and their respective associated chains are so designed that any link of the latter may be thrown over its associated hook or pin. By this arrangement time is often saved. For instance; in the case of chain 94: we do not have to find an end link. One end of the chain is looped around pipe 12; we take out the slack, and throw the nearest link over pin 92 of bridle 90. Time may be saved in the same way when arranging chain 85. This chain may be longer than is shown in the drawings; the end links extending beyond the hooks 82 and 84.

In Figures 2 and 3 the load of logs is shown held up snugly against the underside of the frame of cart 24. In Figures 4 and 5 the chain 94 has been pulled until the releasing hook 84 has been tripped. The chain 8i), now held only by hook 82, has dropped the load. Usually the drop is so sudden that the logs lie in nearly the same relative positions as when suspended; though sometimes an upper log may be jumped a little out of line, as suggested in Figures 4 and 5.

The load having been dropped: the logger drives the tractor and the cart 24 ahead. Chain 85 may then be detached from hook 82, or it may be left on hook 82 and be pulled from under the logs.

In general operation: chain 80 is passed around a load of logs arranged in skids or ties; or it may be placed rst upon the ground, and then the logs upon it. The piston 62 is driven to the rear end of the cylinder 58. One end of chain 80 is then passed over roller 35, and is looped over hook 82 on head 18. The free end of chain 80 is then lifted, passed over roller 35, and one of its links is looped over releasing-hook 84. The hook is closed, and bridle 9D is swung into position to hold the free end 88 of hook 84.

Pressure is now exerted against the rear end of piston 52, which is driven toward the forward end of cylinder 58; pulling forward piston rod 64, head 18, and chain 80, which, rising over roller 35, lifts the load. If the load is low, and the required lift is greater than the stro-ke of piston 52, the logger packs under the load, and rearranged chain and lifting gear. Asa rule the piston stroke is longer than the lift.

The pressure in cylinder 58 against piston 52 is great enough to sustain any load which can be carried by the cart 24 and held snugly up under the frame knee-cap 22 and cross-members 26, 2B and 35.

A link of chain 54 may be looped over pin 92 of the bridle 9o before the load is moved, or upon arrival of the load at its destination. When the man-power is limited to one individual, time is saved by arranging chain 94 over pin 92V before the load is moved.

On arrival at his destination, the logger sees that the chain 94 is properly looped over pin 92. He does not have to go near the load to drop it; and so be in danger if any part of the load should be thrown to the side. Without leaving his drivers seat on the tractor, he operates the liquid control to release the pressure on the rear of piston 62, The Weight of the load pulls the piston rod head 18 rearwardly; the small chain 94 tightens, pulls bridle 95 off arm 88 of. hook 84 chain is freed from the hoo-k; the load is dropped; and the logger drives his tractor and cart 24 ahead. Before returning for another load, he may hitch up the loose end of chain 80; but in the woods he need not stop to do even that.

The action of the liquid, preferably oil, in cylinder 58 is controlled from the drivers seat in the following manner:

On the chassis of the tractor there is mounted a rotary pump II. This pump is driven by the tractor engine through belt I3 running over pulleys I5 and I1. The pump pressure line I9 carries the oil to a control box 2i, to be described later. From control box 2l oil returns to pump I I by return line 23.

Assume that in Figure 6 the piston 52 and the chain are sustaining a heavy load; the pressure oil entering by pipe 12 and pressing against the rear end of the piston 52. The hand lever 25 of the control box 2I (Figure 7) is in the neutral position. The load is held. The arrows in Figures 6 and '7 indicate the direction of the pressure at the moment. See Figure 1 for the ilexible connections 14 and 15 between control box 2I and cylinder 58.

When the logger wishes to drop the load he pushes the lever 25 backward. This moves the valve in the control box. The pressure on piston 62 is released. The oil flows through pipe 12 in a direction oppo-site to that indicated by the arrow. The dropping of the load upon the release of pressure has already been described.

Describing the working p-arts of the liquid pressure control: In the control box 2I (Figure '1) 81 is an oil tank; from which oil can pass by outlet 29 and return line 23 to pump I I.

The pressure outlet from pump E I is connected to the valve-housing 33 by pipe I9 and port 3i. This port, and ports 35 and 31 may be located on the side of the valve-housing 33; but for the purpose of illustration they are shown in the drawings on the top of the housing.

In port 35 is set a pipe 39, which is connected by flexible tube 15 with pipe 12 entering port 68 on cylinder 58 Port 31 on housing 33 is connected by flexible tubing 14 and pipe 15 with port 65 on cylinder 58.

Seated in the valve-housing 33 is the cylindrical Valve 4I of hollow construction except at a point near the center of its length. Near this point the valve is reduced in diameter to form the port 43.

In the hollow valve are circumferential ports 45, 41, and 49; each drilled at two or more points on the circumference of the valve.

In the valve seat in housing 33 are port 5|, connected with outlet port 35; port 53 connected with outlet port 31; port 55 connected by passage 51 with inlet port 3i; and ports 59 and 6I connected with chamber 53, which in turn is connected through tub-e 55 with tank 81.

Valve 4I is connected by link B5 with hand -lever 25; the said lever being pivoted at 1I on tank 81.

Within valve 4I are check valves 13 and 15, pressed on their respective seats by springs 11 and 19.

VIn Figure 7, valve 4I is shown in its neutral position; with oil pressure on the rear of piston 62 sustaining the load, This pressure originated at pump Il; and was communicated to piston 62 through pipe i9, port 3i, port 55, port 41, passage Si, past check valve 23, through port 45 to port 5I, to port 35, and by pipes 39, 16 and 12 to the rear rend Aof cylinder 58. As soon as the load is lifted, the valve 4I is brought to the position shown in Figure '7, in which port 5I is closed, and port 55 is connected by valve-port 43 with port 59, chamber 63, tube 65 to tank 81; and the oil returns by port 29 to pump I I. The pump is now working against Zero pressure-head.

When the logger wishes to drop his load, he pushes the handlever 25 forward; thereby shifting valve 4I forward until the oil pressure in line 12, 16, is relieved through ports 35, 5I, 41, checkvalve 13, port 45, and thence into a cored passage connected to chamber 63 and return tank 81.

The pressure on the rear 0f piston 62 is relieved; the weight of the load pulls on head 18, increasing the distance between the head and pipe 12 to which chain 94 is hitched; the bridle 90 is pulled off the release-hook 84, which flies open and frees chain 86, instantly dropping the load.

The knee-cap 22 has a double purpose. It greatly strengthens the joint between the upper frame of the chassis and the tongue; that is between the side members I8 of the chassis and the side members I 6 of the tongue. Its upper plate 21 forms an abutment against which the forward end of the uppermost log of a load may strike; but also, in case of a slight slackening of the load-lifting chain, and a possible sliding forward of the uppermost log, the forward movement of the said log will be stopped by its end coming into contact with the inclined front plate 89 of the knee-cap. This is a protection to the driver of the tractor.

I claim:

1. In a logging cart with open under-carriage, the combination of a high chassis having side members spaced apart by cross members; depending and opposite brackets on either side; wheels supported on axles attached one to each bracket; bearings oppositely supported on the side members of the chassis adjacent the vertical plane passing through the centers of the wheels; a roller rotatably mounted in and adapted to rotate freely in the bearings; fluid-pressure hoisting means supported on the forward part of the chassis; a hoisting chain releasably connected at its two ends with the hoisting means and passing over and depending from the roller; and means for freeing the hoisting chain automatically from the hoisting means by controlling the fluid pressure in the hoisting means to reduce the tension on the hoisting chain.

2. In a logging cart with open under-carriage, the combination of a high chassis having side members spaced apart by cross members; a tongue depending from the forward end of the chassis; a knee-cap embracing the joint between the chassis and the tongue and extending downward on each side to form an inverted cup to receive and to restrain side movement of a log; and means for lifting a log to the underside of the chassis.

3. In a logging cart with open under-carriage, the combination of a wheel supported high chassis; a pivot mounted vertically adjacent the forward end of the chassis; a fluid-,pressure cylinder mounted on the pivot and adapted to swing on the pivot in a plane substantially parallel with the lplane of the chassis; a piston adapted to operate within the cylinder; a piston rod eX- tending from the cylinder at the end opposite to that of the pivotal support; a hoisting chain releasably attached adjacent its ends to the end of the piston rod; means for introducing fluidpressure within the cylinder to operate the piston and rod to exert tension on the chain to raise the load; means for releasing the fluid-pressure on the piston and rod to reduce the tension on the chain; and means adapted to control the chain releasing means to release the chain and drop the load when the tension of the said chain is reduced.

4. In a logging cart: the combination of a wheel-supported chassis with open undercarriage; a fluid-pressure cylinder pivotally supported by its forward end adjacent the forward end of the chassis and adapted to swing on its pivot in a plane substantially parallel with the plane of the chassis; a piston operative within the cylinder; a piston rod extending rearwardly from the piston; a hoisting chain releasably connected adjacent its ends with the end of the piston rod and adapted to embrace the load in its bight; means for producing and controlling uidpressure within the cylinder; means for releasing the pressure of /the fluid within the cylinder; a roller supported on the chassis and extending the full width of the open under-carriage to form a bearing for the hoisting chain; and means for automatically opening the chain releasing means to free the chain upon the reduction of the pressure of the fluid on the said piston.

5. In a logging cart: the combination of a chassis with open under-carriage; a fluid-pressure cylinder supported on the chassis; a piston operative within the cylinder; a piston rod eX- tending from the piston; a hoisting chain releasably connected adjacent its ends with the piston rod; a releasing hook with bridle secured to the piston rod and adapted to hold an end of the hoisting chain; means for supplying fluid-pressure to the cylinder to put tension on the hoisting chain; means for controlling the said pressure to reduce the tension on the said chain; and means for connecting the bridle of the releasing hook with a substantially Xed point on the structure so that when the pressure is reduced on the piston to allow the piston rod to move outwardly from the cylinder the said connecting means will trip the bridle and so release the chain from the hook.

WION L. BARTHOLOMEW.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 854,601 Perry May 21, 1907 1,909,689 Kuchar May 16, 1933 1,945,976 Nourse et al Feb. 16, 1934 2,058,473 LeTourneau Oct. 27, 1936 2,179,778 Dempster Nov. 14, 1939 2,261,509 Williams Nov, 4, 1941 2,361,181 Dowcly Oct. 24, 1944 

